Background
Automatic fire-suppression systems are usually installed in rooms containing significant amounts of electrical equipment, such as large server rooms and data centres. The systems typically work by automatically releasing an inert dangerous good (Division 2.2 non-flammable, non-toxic gas) in the server room or data centre to reduce the oxygen levels, which controls and extinguishes fires without human intervention.
Several incidents involving the unintended activation of fire-suppression systems have been reported. Due to an actuator failure, sites were unaware the system had activated. The Department of Mines and Petroleum has inspected sites that store their connected gas cylinders in a separate gas storage room to the data centre or server room. The potential for a gas release in the storage room may not have been adequately considered.
Summary of hazard
The gas released when fire-suppression systems are activated is an asphyxiant hazard and can cause suffocation by diluting or displacing oxygen.
Contributory factors
- Gas cylinders are installed in workspaces.
- Inadequate risk assessment of the gas storage room, resulting in inadequate ventilation, no alarms (e.g. leak detector), no oxygen monitoring and no placarding or labelling on the door warning of the presence of dangerous goods.